New computational research published in the Journal of Oriental Astronomy has revealed that 10th-century Indian astronomers, specifically Munjala in his treatise Laghu-Manasa, developed sophisticated algorithms to account for the 'equation of time'—the difference between apparent solar time and mean solar time. This correction is vital for precise planetary positioning and was previously thought to have reached such mathematical maturity much later in the Western tradition.
The study utilized high-resolution digital scans of rare palm-leaf manuscripts to reconstruct the original geometric models used by Munjala. Researchers found that his Mandaphala corrections successfully modeled the Earth's orbital eccentricity and its impact on solar velocity with a precision that rivals early modern European calculations. This finding suggests a highly developed understanding of non-uniform solar motion in medieval India.